Ear wax and more!

Here is the first picture of The Good Wife cast for the marjketing campaign for the launch of season 2, which happens on CBS on September 28th. This is one of these funny pictures that was shot at lots of different times and we were never all there together at once.

Anf then here is the single of me, and I can truthfully say that I was indeed there when this picture was taken.

Today I did something fantastic. I went and had an ear candle treatment.  This is where they put a funny wick thing into your ear and light it - a quite extraordinary aural experience I can tell you - and then you lie there as it burns down and a lady massages round your ear and then when she takes the wick out and cuts it open you get to see all the wax that has somehow been sucked out of your ear. My doctor told me the other day that by using Q Tips I had pushed wax further into my ear so I thought a good old candle wax extraction was in order. There was tons of the stuff! The little lady actually gasped when she saw how much.  And now I feel that the volume of the sountrack of my life has been turned up to beyond the max.  I just shot a scene in a court building in The Bronx with a lot of extras and when everyone was talking at once it was really a little overwhelming!

I'm going to be making some videos for CBS.com about life on the set of The Good Wife, so that will be fun.  I promise there will be no ear wax involved, unless it somehow part of a storyline in the show.  Which I doubt very much.

Thanks to Elise for sending me this video of a flash mob in Target.  Keep up the good work, people!!

Foreskin man!

I was saddened to hear that President Clinton and Bill Gates made statements last week at the AIDS conference in Vienna strongly advocating circumcision as a preventitive measure in the fight against HIV/AIDS, citing 'overwhelming evidence' that it works and saves lives. 

Of course, the word 'might' being used in the same sentence as an exhortation to genitally mutilate on a mass scale should perhaps ring alarm bells.  It certainly does mine, and reports such as this one make me wary.  I have been looking at a lot of material online about this issue, here for instance and have been gratified to see that the issue has made it into the comic books, and as well as being entertaining, Foreskin Man highlights the politics and lack of objectivity in the reports and studies that advocate hacking off genitals above education on safe sex and more money for research and drugs.

On a happier note my friend Sue's company Streetwse Opera has made it through to the televised finals of the National Lottery Awards.  Streetwise takes music to homeless people and thereby inspires them and gives them confidence to move on in life, and I really advocate you all voting for them to help their work, and the lives of many who so need a leg up, in the future.

Finally, here's a little video of me swimming in Kuala Lumpur a few years back.

me in specs

This first picture of me in specs was taken at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 1992 when I was there with my first ever feature film Prague.  

The next one was taken at the Sundance film festival in 2009 when I was there with the film Dare.  I am slightly obsessed with pictures of me in specs today because I thought that my failing eyesight was a recent thing and quite clearly it is not, as I was wearing specs 18 years ago.  I think though that there has been a marked downward spiral in my eyesight, all part of the slow march towards death which we all must come to terms with.  I actually like wearing specs, and I need to so much now that maybe I should think about contact lenses.  Though that would defeat the purpose and the joy of my spec wearing.  I even have my prescriptions in a few pairs of sunglasses

Oh, talking of the sun, it's not here.  Today is the first day in ages in New York City where I can remember wearing socks (except at work when I am Eli Gold - he is definitely not a Crocs man). It rained big time during the night and it was actually a little chilly this morning. I went off to work with a JACKET on. Can you imagine?!!

Of course it is rather exciting to suddenly have a whole new array of wardrobe possibilities available again. I am so looking forward to winter and to wearing a coat that one of the extras from The Runaway (a thing I shot recently in South Africa) was wearing and I nabbed it. It's a sort of big furry pimp coat and I am going to be so superfly in it this winter!  I also have a pair of galoshes which I yearn to wear.  I always feel like I need to drink some vodka and start weeping about Moscow when I wear them.  

I am typing this on my office computer and I have to say young Brian my assistant is a mucky pup. This is the dirtiest keyboard I have seen in some time.  I am going to actually go and get a bottle of spray stuff an clean it after I type this. That'll show him.

Today I did some voice work for a movie called Outback which will come out next year and in which I will be giving my Bog, a nasty crocodile. Oh yes, I am extending my range with every passing day. I also played a bratty Australian boy for a couple of lines too, though I should keep that quiet in case anyone in Australia ever hears it and wonders about the wonky accent.

Brian is off getting my outfit for the Emmys on Sunday. My dear friend Cynthia Rowley has made me a lovely ensemble, so at least I can be sure that at these Emmys I will not be wearing anything that Perez Hilton has already worked on the red carpet. By the way, thanks to the over a hundred thousand people who voted that I looked better than Perez. Much as I abhor popularity contests and fashion police type of things, it was very flattering.

Right I am off to scrub this murky keyboard and, yikes, the screen is a disgrace too.  Then I am going to walk the dogs. But finally here is another picture of me in specs. This one was taken in the Villa Borghese during the Rome Film Festival in 2008 by Gael Garcia Bernal.  Go figure!!

flipping heck

I am distraught.  Lat week my flip HD camera broke. The little USB thing got stuck and then wouldn't stay in my computer properly.  So I borrowed my man's flip to do the films from Edinburgh. Now that one has stopped working!! And at the weekend I heard of someone else's flip that has conked out.  What is hapening in the world?!  I so wanted to do an Emmy vid but unless there are free flips at some swag place that I will be wheeled around on Saturday I don't know if it's going to happen. Chant for me, people.

Also did you know that Target donated $150,000 to anti-LGBT bigot Tom Emmer's campaign? This is Target, people, who have been so amazing in the past both in terms of philanthropy, and equality within their corporate structure.  And now they are giving large chunks of change to a man who wants to ban same-sex marriage! WTF! Obviously this is a corporate PR blunder, but come on Target, make amends here.

It's assumed that Target didn't know that when they donated money to the pro-business group, MN Forward, that under state law MN Forward would have to disclose its contributors, or that it was supporting Emmer as a candidate for Minnesota governor.  But since the mounting protests nationwide (see below) Target's chief executive, Gregg Steinhafel, wrote a letter of apology to employees, explaining that the company's political donation had been a misguided effort to foster economic growth

"While I firmly believe that a business climate conducive to growth is critical to our future, I realize our decision affected many of you in a way I did not anticipate, and for that I am genuinely sorry," Steinhafel wrote. He continued, "The diversity of our team is an important aspect of our unique culture and our success as a company, and we did not mean to disappoint you, our team or our valued guests." He added that the retailer would more closely review any future political contributions.

I think everyone should call Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel at 612-696-6234 and DEMAND they get the $150,000 back or donate $150,000 to queer youth or transgender services!

ask and tell

So here is what my Creative Emmy day looked like... This is me in my hotel room getting groomed by my friend Ermahn. He was the make up guy on Spy Kids and we have stayed friends ever since and whenever I have to do something in LA that involves looking pretty, he is my go to person. I love him.

Here he is again after I am groomed.

I find it so crazy when people on red carpets ask you to talk them through your outfit. I mean, I know what they mean, but let's get real here.  I find it so hard to resist the urge, and indeed I have not been able to in the past, to say 'Well, it's shoes, trousers, a jacket, a shirt and a tie'.  Anyway here I am talking through my incredibly controversial fashion choice from Saturday's Creative Emmys.  Just wait till you see what I am wearing for next week's Emmys!!

I was sitting next to the lovely Neil Patrick Harris and his man David and it was so exciting to be so close to a TWO time Emmy winner!!  We walked across to the dinner thing together and here is a snap of us having fun. Neil and David are about to welcome twins, and guess what? They now have twin Emmys. Woah! Go figure!

Then the most exciting thing happened to me.  One of my idols, Fred Willard, came up to talk to me.  I am so happy!  If you don't believe me, check out this picture of us both. What an honour!!

And finally here are the two lovely people who made up the whole idea of The Good Wife, Michelle and Robert King. They are both so talented and kind and lovely. And they know my husband Grant because their kids go to school with his first girlfriend's child!!  You couldn't make this up.

But MOST IMPORTANTLY, tonight I went to see a truly amazing piece of theatre and I exhort you all who live in NYC to do the same. It is called Another American: Asking and Telling and is a brilliant piece of docu-drama conceived and perfomed by Marc Wolf.  The subject matter is obviously Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the current heinous policy in the US military for gay people which was introduced by President Clinton.  Ten years ago Marc went out and interviewed a cross-section of society about this topic and then made this piece in which he becomes, there is no other way to describe it,becomes those very people. It is one of the most stunning things I have seen in a very long time. Brilliantly executed, and utterly though-provoking and moving. Indeed, it is what theatre should be about. A triumph!! Click on the link above for tickets and go go go. It is only on a couple of nights a week for the next month and it would be a great shame to miss it.

Finally here is a lovely article in Departures magazine about itsasickness.com

who am i emmy way?

Well, I was right to listen to myself. I did not win the Emmy.  And the lovely John Lithgow did.  And so did my friends Chiara and Toni for make-up on The Pacific

I will write more about it all tomorrow, as I am about to get on a plane back to NYC.  But here in the meantime is a picture of me in a bar later last night, holding my imaginary Emmy. 

My suit caused a bit of a sensation. Than you, Moods of Norway.

Stinky

Today I flew to Los Angeles.  I was on American Airlines.  As soon as we boarded I heard one of the lady flight attendantscomplaining rather noisily about a bad smell.  A moment later the air was filled with the pungent smell of that kind of chemical air freshener that you get in gift shops. You know, like those awful scented candles.  Now, I don't mean that all scented candles are awful per se, far from it. But you now those cloying ones that catch in your throat and are called things like cinnamon dream, and you're suposed to put them on at Christmas to add to the ambiece of peace and tranquility?  Well imagine a cheap aerosol version of that being sprayed around you as you've just sat down on a very early flight.

We asked the lady if she'd mind not spraying it so near us and she replied - and she really did say this - 'I have to work here and some of the passengers stink'.  I guess she missed the customer relations classes at flight attendant school.

This afternon I have been lounging by the hotel pool with two friends from Australia who are here because they are nominated for the Best Make Up award at tomorrow's Emmys for The Pacific.  I worked with them on Son of the Mask which was shot in Oz.  We chatted about what we are wearing and also if there is a chance of us winning.  I told Chiara (for that is her name) that I am a good omen because the last time I attended the Creative Emmys the make up category was won by another friend of mine for Tin Man. We then freaked each other out about the possibility of going up on stage and having to make a speech. 

I am totally convinced that John Lithgow is going to win for Dexter.  But what if he doesn't?!!  I suddenly realised that if I won I would be utterly unprepared and would sound like a buffoon, so now there is that to worry about to. I have hastily begun to think of the list of people's names I should thank.  And my stomach is in knots.

You see, I have just made this all up in my head.  John Lithgow will win because he is brilliant and because he won the Golden Globe and if he didn't win the SAG then he should have.  I would like Robert Morse to win just because he is the cutest thing ever on Mad Men.  But I just never imagined I would stand a chance.  I just thought it would be a good laugh and a chance to see some friends and have a dirty weekend in LA.  Ony now, the day before, have I allowed the possibililty (and I am nominated so it isn't as if it would be insane for it to happen) to begin to ruin my fun.

 I am going to Rufus Wainwright's concert at the Greek theatre in a minute and not going to think about it anymore. But what if I win and I haven't practsied my speech enough?  And what if I don't win and I have written this blog and everyone will feel sorry for me?

I hate awards.

Ask Alan!

From Gayle: Dear Alan,  I have been enjoying seeing you doing the intros for Mystery on PBS. I wanted to know if you will be starring in any of the Poirot or Miss Marple in the future. Would love to see you in something like that. Wouldn't that be funny?  Me introducing myself? I have no plans to be in Poirot or Miss Marple, but never say never!  I did feel a bit Miss Marpleish recently when I did the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are? which airs on BBC1 in the UK on September 6th.  I was investigating the life of my grandfather and I was channeling her.

hey alan did you know i am your number 1 fan and i friended you on myspace  I did not know that cos it's not me on myspace or facebook, sorry about that.  This site is my only online presence.  Do not let the impostors trick you!!

Katarzyna-Anna from Poland writes: Aren't people confused because of your fame?  I'm wondering if it's hard to find real friends when you're famous? Have you ever met any people whose kindness was fake because of your prestige?  Yes, I suppose is the answer.  But as you get older you are more able to see people's real motivations and reasons for wanting to be your friend.  Also people seem to forget that I have a role in any friendship. People don't just become my friend, whether I want it or not! So I am very good at making sure people who come into my life, and into the private parts of it, are true and kind.  Sometimes I have made mistakes, but I think now I have a really great bunch of friends who are kind and protective, and at the same time I have not closed myself off from the possibility of having new people join that happy band. Also, the people who really want to be your friends just for the glory and the celeby rub-off are usually not very good at hiding their true desires.

Gloria writes: any plans to bring I Bought a Blue Car Today to Vancouver? That's Vancouver in Canada not Washington. Oh my goodness I would love to take the show to the Couv, but right now there are no plans. I know I have a flurry of dates at the beginning of next year, but none for a while apart from a few benefit things.  I have come to Vancouver many times to shoot films so mayeb the enxt time I do I will arrange to do the show somewhere there!

What's been your favourite song you've ever sung in a role?.....if that makes sense  I really liked singing I Don't Care Much from Cabaret.  Right now I love singing Almost There, the Tom Baxter song in my show, but that isn't really a role from a show, cos it's just me singing it.

From Ryan: how did you get your start as an actor and has there ever been a time where you doubted yourself or capability in any way?  I went to drama school.  Whilst there, in my final year, I was asked to be in a professional production of Macbeth and then in a movie, so I had a little head start before I graduated.  But that's how I did it, quite a traditional route.  And it all sort of blossomed from there. And yes, of course I have had doubts, and still do sometmes. I think it's healthy, cos in some ways it galvanises you to work harder and having doubts reminds you that you are not invincible and your vulnerability is a part of who you are as a performer.

Tess asks: have you ever experienced any Paranormal activity in the Edinburgh Castle, or in your life? No, not in Edinburgh Castle! But I sometimes feel the energy of people in places. Last year I stayed in a hotel (also in Edinburgh incidentally) which had once been a mental hospital and I definitely felt some tormented souls around me. I had to give them a little talking to, telling them I understood and that I was a bit mad myself, so to please chill out and let me have a good night's sleep. It worked!

Rowda sent this poem by Kahlil Gibran.  I think it's great:

Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

Finally Lindsay sent me this video, which I think deserves a viewing from us all...

Flying visits

On Sunday in Edinburgh I was filmed by the TV channel New York 1, and today I was in thier building in Manhattan filming for The Good Wife. Funny old world, huh?!

I am still reeling a little from my weekend of Fringe fun and merriment, the flights back and forth and then being flung back into filming.  But I have enjoyed the scenes we have been shooting. Each week the show deals with issues that are pertinent and current in a really interesting and provocative way and I like that.

This weekend the madness will continue as on Friday I fly to Los Angeles for the Creative Emmys.  The award I am nominated for (Supporting Guest Actor in a Drama) is announced during this ceremony, and then I will return to LA the following weekend with the rest of The Good Wife cast for the Prime Time Emmys. And I thought my days of gadding about on planes had stopped for a while!

I have been getting up so early and having long filming days so I am glad that now, before I go to meet friends for drinks at my favourite local bar, I can walk Honey and Leon and have some daddy/kids time.  Honey has had a funny tummy again, poor thing.  But she is still boisterous and loves a rough house, so I don't think it's anything serious.  It is still really hot and humid here in NYC and I think being an old hairy lady must be pretty tough in this climate.

What a great thing it was tonight to see that all the combat troops leaving Iraq!!  Finally! Obama is keeping his word and washing his hands of the mess that Bush left him.  The West should never ever have invaded that country in the first place.

Someone put this up on youtube and I really like it. It's got audio of me singing Money from Cabaretset against footage of the Hindenburgh burning. Pretty powerful and weird.

woozy day

This made me laugh today.

So did this.

Today I had to get up at 6am to go and shoot the last scenes of episode 3 of the new season of The Good Wife. It's funny to think that since the last scenes I shot I have been across the Atlantic and performed at the Edinburgh fringe as well as engaged in all the extraneous activities that can be viewed in the videos below.  I was a little woozy at points today, no wonder.

I was thinking about how about 6 weeks or so ago I was in Tokyo and skyped with friends who were at my country house on Friday night at about 8.30pm and then I arrived there the next day at 3.30 in the afternoon.  I couldn't get my head around it.  Or my body for that matter.  I kept thinking about what Jacques says in As You Like It: I have gained my experience.

I didn't feel I had gained my experience when I came from Tokyo. In some way the way speed and time zones enabled me to cheat my body into being somewhere else so soon demeaned the rather huge experiences I had just had (filming for the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are in Malyasia).

This weekend in Edinburgh I talked a lot about age and the idea of returning to the fringe festival after so many years and after so many years of having performed there.  Something about going back to my roots, both geographically and artistically made me feel that actually I had gained my experience. It was a nice feeling.